The rewards for hard work, commitment and diligence on the field and in the classroom are never overlooked by those who value the total package by area student athletes.

Piqua's Own Clinton Denlinger from Piqua receives his Southwest Board scholarship from his principal, and Southest Board member, Kathy Davisson.

06/26/09 - Sonny Fulks/1570wptw.com

While we usually write about the numbers on the scoreboard,  I want to take this opportunity to highlight some different numbers...an outstanding and continuing work by the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Southwest Board at it’s annual scholar-athlete reception held Tuesday night at the downtown Marriott in Dayton.

The Southwest Board awarded nearly $21,000 in scholarships to student athletes from southwest Ohio, and ten from local schools in Miami and Shelby Counties…Nick Pulfer (Lehman), Clinton Denlinger (Piqua), Katie Mengos (Miami East), Kelsie Zumberger (Anna), Eric Niekamp (Anna), Kristin Drees (Russia), Derek Francis (Russia), Heidi Taviano (Houston), Kaitlyn Stewart (Newton), and Kayla Quinter (Ft. Loramie).

“People think we just run the sectional and district tournaments,” said board president, Mark Hughes, athletic director at Oakwood High School. “But honestly, the one board activity of the year that brings us the greatest satisfaction is the opportunity to award these kids financially for their hard work and commitment as student athletes.”

In all, southwest district students received more than $30,000, counting additional scholarships awarded at a separate OHSAA function last week in Columbus. And lest anyone question where scholarship monies come from in this day of tight budgets…the members of the Southwest Board "earn" it!

“Primarily it comes from the sale of T-Shirts at our sectional and district tournaments,” says board treasurer, Bob Huelsman, retiring athletic director from Newton High School. “Those shirts are sold at nearly every event we host, so it’s important for people to know that when they buy a shirt they’re supporting a good work at the end of the year.”

It is a good work, and hats off to benefactors and beneficiaries alike, now 16 years running and still going strong. And all hail the power of the T-Shirt!